2024 wrap up

Though the school year is not over yet and we’re working right through the festive season, I still think it’s necessary to end the year on a reflective note. This past Sunday morning we woke up to the tragic news of a plane crash in Muan, South Korea. 179 out of 181 people aboard the airplane that had flown from Bangkok were killed in the crash. The Korean government called for a week of national mourning so we’re entering the new year on a somber note.

Before writing this blog, I read a news article about some background stories of the passengers who lost their lives. Many were returning from celebratory trips with their families; such as celebrating high school graduations, recovery from cancer treatment and a honeymoon. It was these stories that led me to write about the highs and lows of this year, and also what I am grateful for. For the last few years, on New Year’s Eve, I have asked my immediate family and some of my friends what their pits (lows) and peaks (highs) of the year were. I don’t pressure them to answer but I just find it’s a nice way to reflect and share what the year has been like. It’s a way to review your year and discover the joys that are sometimes overlooked or even how you may have overcome some hardships. So I’ll start and perhaps you will be so kind as to share yours with me or someone close to you.

Seoul Winter Light Festival 

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Pits of 2024

Some of the lows for this year were when family members faced serious health challenges at home. When things happen suddenly to the people you love, you really feel the distance because there is not much you can do from far away. I can’t do hospital visits, I can’t show support physically nor can I help with everyday tasks. So this was a hardship that I had to navigate while being far from home. I thank God that everyone is doing well and on the way to recovery.

Other lows were some events at school, which were challenging and even traumatic. There was an incident in a class where a Grade 9 boy shouted a racist remark at a classmate, loud enough for everyone to hear. Everyone was shocked and just went quiet. I kept my cool and asked him to repeat what he had said, which he didn’t want to. My co-teacher then stepped in after seeing how seriously I was taking it. She took him out of class to speak to him privately and I planned on carrying on teaching, however, I suddenly got really emotional about it and needed to step outside for a bit. 

The student apologised to me afterwards and my co-teacher also explained that students don’t really know what the racial slur means, nor do many Koreans. While I understand that’s possible, the fact that he shouted at a student whose skin was a bit darker than his seemed like he knew how offensive it was. My co-teacher ended up speaking to every other class we teach together about using racist slurs as well as bad language, and how it could make me and others feel. I appreciated her doing so but it still left me with a bit of a sour taste. However, I am very aware that it is also my job to open students' eyes to the differences in the world and perhaps make them more culturally aware of what is appropriate or not. 

We also had an incident where a student attempted to harm themself at school during lunchtime. That was really hard to witness and an eye-opener to the mental health struggles of our teens. It shook me quite a bit as I'd never seen something like that before. My first instinct was to protect students and ensure they had no view of what was happening. Fortunately, the student is okay today (or seemingly so). This event ultimately showed me how culturally a situation like this is handled in Korea and how much more needs to be done in terms of openly facing mental health problems and speaking about it so that it's not seen as something that should be hidden away. 

Peaks of 2024

There was an array of highs throughout the year, many involving travel. Starting the year off with a visit home was just what I needed. Though I struggled a lot when I returned to Korea, being home and seeing all my family and friends again was incredibly joyful. There’s nothing like your mom’s cooking to make you feel loved and at home. The second high was meeting my niece Caitlin for the first time. Spending time with her was lovely. Also, visiting Taiwan again and doing so with my friend, Mbali, was a fun and memorable experience. I also got to catch up with old friends and my long time online friend, JP, during that trip, which was awesome. Other highs involving travel include my friends Angie and Gary visiting me. We made memories that will last for a lifetime!

Lunch with family members while visiting Cape Town in February

Reading to Caitlin while visiting Taiwan in August

Venturing out in Taipei with Mbali

Fun photo ops with Angie and Gary in Jeju

Other highlights of the year include Sel finishing his PhD! What a crazy ride it was. He set out the goal to finish at the beginning of the year and there were times when I was unsure if he could do it as he had so many work-related responsibilities going on. But he put his head down and one foot forward every day and successfully achieved his goal. I am incredibly proud of him and so happy to have been part of the journey. Perhaps, there will be a blog later on about this stage of our relationship as there were many growth points and lessons learned.

Celebrating our PhD x2

Finally, I believe an unexpected and awesome highlight for me this year was joining a ladies' bible study group at Church. It’s been a truly enlightening experience learning God’s word and doing so with others. Sharing our thoughts, perspectives, struggles and joys, and how God works in our lives has been a rewarding and refreshing experience. At the beginning of this year, I sensed that this year was more about growing my relationship with God and deepening my faith through my church community and that’s exactly what I have done. Our church community has not only expanded my faith but also towards playing a role in the church.

Dinner with our ladies' bible study group

Studying the Gospel according to Luke

Gratitude and lessons learned!

Today, I asked my Grade 8s to rate their year from 1-5 stars, with 1 being very bad to 5 being very good. Many said 2 or 3 and surprisingly a few said 5. Students rating their year 4 or 5 stars is pretty cool as they often seem so unhappy because of the pressures they face with their studies. If I were to rate the year, I’d give it 4.5 stars. For the most part, the year has been good with a few hard moments and plentiful lessons. I tend to look on the brighter side and can usually find the positive in any situation. So even when there are hard moments, I try to find the lesson or purpose in them. For instance, my eyes were opened to new opportunities that I could take on career-wise and I’ve now realised what next steps I can take to acquire qualifications in teaching. So I am grateful for the path that led me to know what to do next.

Another lesson has been learning to pray, not only when things are bad or at the end of the day but doing so whenever and wherever is necessary. Turning to God and asking for guidance in prayer is always available, especially for an overthinker like me. I don’t always have to rely on myself and I can hand over my anxieties at any time. So I am grateful for my church community, ladies' bible study, and the growth of my friendships as we discuss our faith more and more openly.

“God is still writing your story. Quit trying to steal the pen and trust the author.” (Toby Mac)

You are smart. You are kind. You are enough. Wise words from Mbali's classroom in Jeju.

I am also truly thankful for the health and wellness of my family, friends, and myself. I am thankful for a job that I enjoy, students who I adore and a school community that I feel part of. I am grateful for opportunities to travel, enjoy life, find pockets of joy on my own and through community, teach, be in a loving relationship, make new memories and live each day with the freedom to do what I want. There is no greater privilege than time and being able to do with it as you please (after work hours that is).

Thank you for keeping up with me as always. I wish you a Happy New Year and hope that 2025 brings you all the joys, peace, success, good health and restoration you so desire.

Till next time.

Meryl Joy Burgess

Ps. When leaving a comment, please add your name (instead of anonymous) so that I know who is commenting and can respond in kind. 🖤

A note from a student

Singing with the English service members at our Church's Christmas concert

Another festive season with my friend

From us to all of you.